Asus have just released the Eee PC 1201PN, an updated version of the 1201N model from six months ago. The original netbook received a lot of acclaim for its pairing between an Atom processor and Nvidia’s Ion graphics, so lots of people have been interested to see if the new 1201PN can live up to its predecessor. In short, the answer to this question is an unequivocal – well, maybe.
The Eee PC 1201PN features a new single-core 1.6GHz Atom N450 CPU, longer battery life than the 1201N, and faster graphics than the original as well. There are however, a few shortcomings, with a processor that doesn’t exactly scream speed and a small and rather stiff touchpad button that is a nuisance on a computer of this size. The rest of the design seems to be well thought out, with a comfortable keyboard and a responsive dimpled touchpad.
Speaking of size, the 1201PN comes in at a rather small 1.06/1.3 inches and 3.2 pounds, with a screen size of 12.1 inches. The included 512MB Nvidia Ion graphics memory may be substantial for a netbook of this size, but the screen resolution is nothing to write home about at 1366 x 768.
However, the 1201PN has been designed as an inexpensive portable multimedia computer, and its graphics power and multiple connectivity make it ideal for this use. The Asus Eee PC 1201PN features a VGA port, HDMI output, an SD card slot, multiple USB ports, and an Ethernet port among others, including the headphone and mic jacks which are necessary for any multimedia laptop.
The 1201PN ships with Windows 7 Home Premium edition (32 bit), a 250GB hard drive, and is selling for only $499. While it may not be the toughest or most powerful netbook on the market, the price is low and the feature list is rich when compared to much of its competition.
Specifications
1.6GHz Intel Atom N450
MS Windows 7 Home Premium
2GB RAM
250GB SATA hard drive
12.1 screen size
1366 x 768
512MB Nvidia graphics memory
802.11 b/g/n WiFi
Bluetooth 2.1
USB x 3
